|
Superintendent's Newsletter
October 18, 2024
| |
|
Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,
I hope this newsletter finds you well! Today’s issue features Robinson Elementary, reminders about our E-Bike Safety Program, and Grand View students receiving a special visit by an Olympian!
| |
Spotlight on Robinson Elementary School (Special Thanks to Teachers Megan Montz, Jen Camacho, and Principal Katie Cavallaro) | |
 | |
Robinson 2nd grade students are in the midst of a non-fiction reading and writing unit on animals! In addition to strengthening their literacy skills, students have the opportunity to select an animal to research during this unit. By choosing an animal that interests them, they increase their engagement as they dig deeper for information.
This week, Riptides learned about keywords and how researchers strive to become experts in understanding the vocabulary of the topics they are studying. Mrs. Montz and Mrs. Camacho demonstrated how to use text features like boldface words, text boxes, labels, and glossaries to identify keywords and learn what they mean. After spending some time annotating keywords in sample texts as a full class, students worked independently to mark the keywords in their books with sticky notes. In the next lesson, they will incorporate one of the text features they discovered in the mentor text into their writing.
The unit will culminate with students creating an animal habitat diorama based on their chosen research animal. This will not only serve as a memorable way to conclude an in-depth unit but also provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through creativity.
|  | |
Staff Spotlight: Kasey Ullery | Program Specialist of Early Intervention and Inclusion | |
|
This week’s staff spotlight shines on Kasey Ullery, Program Specialist of Early Intervention and Inclusion at Manhattan Beach Preschool. Kasey began her journey with MBUSD six years ago as an English and Learning Center teacher at MBMS. Most recently, for the past two years, she has been working at MB Preschool, where she works with preschool providers and families to ensure our youngest learners receive the support they need to thrive as they begin their educational journeys.
Before joining MBUSD, Kasey taught at Simi Valley Unified, where she grew up. She describes her time there as an incredible experience, allowing her to give back to the community that shaped her as a student.
When asked what her favorite part about her job is, Kasey shared, “I love seeing moments when things click for kids. It’s so rewarding! I also enjoy building relationships and watching everyone grow over the years. I can’t believe the students I started with are now juniors in high school!.”
Kasey’s inspiration to pursue a career in education came from her identical twin sister, Cara, who has cerebral palsy. “Watching how much her teachers impacted her life made me want to be that kind of teacher for others. Through her, I’ve also had the chance to connect with so many amazing people with different abilities. She’s part of a Challenger baseball team, and over the years, her teammates have become like family. That connection is what led me to pursue special education and eventually brought me to MBUSD.”
| MBUSD Celebrates Week of the School Administrator | |
This week, we are excited to honor the remarkable leadership and dedication of our school administrators during the Week of the School Administrator. Every day, these exceptional leaders work tirelessly to support our students, teachers, and staff, ensuring our schools run smoothly and foster a positive, thriving learning environment.
Our administrators are the heart of our schools, and their impact is felt across our entire District. Let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate their hard work, commitment, and the difference they make in our school communities.
Thank you to all our administrators for your unwavering leadership and for helping MBUSD succeed!
| |
MBUSD Board Goals 1 and 2 | |
|
As we strive for continued excellence in education, our five Board-adopted Goals by our Board of Trustees are the priorities of the District. Our Board Goals reflect our shared vision for cultivating a supportive, innovative, and inclusive learning environment. They also serve as the guiding framework for decision-making that guides staff, ensuring that everyone works toward delivering the best outcomes for all students and advancing MBUSD’s vision.
This week we want to highlight Board goals 1 & 2. Board Goal 1 is to maximize the academic success of all students. It focuses on student achievement by implementing a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC) across core subjects, reducing classroom variability through essential standards. Common assessments will be used to monitor student progress and provide timely feedback, supporting students at all levels. Instruction will be accessible to all learners through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Staff will enhance student learning through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and professional development while exploring innovative educational models.
During our September 24 Board meeting, Educational Services staff provided an overview of the teaching and learning priorities to further the work outlined within Board Goal 1. Please see the presentation here.
MBUSD Board Goal 2 is to continue to develop a climate of care in all MBUSD schools by ensuring a safe, secure, and respectful environment for students and staff. This includes implementing a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Visual Framework and promoting the District’s Inclusion Stand Up Commitment to create a space for open dialogue about biases, and respecting every individual's background and experience. The District will also incorporate diverse classroom resources that emphasize the value of each student, and develop curricula that reflect students' unique backgrounds, providing safe spaces for them to express themselves.
At our October 9 Board meeting, Student Services staff provided an overview of the programming and services planned to further the work outlined in Board Goal 2. You can find the presentation here.
| |
Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is THIS SUNDAY! Register Now! | |
Great California ShakeOut | |
|
This week, our staff and students took part in the annual Great California ShakeOut, joining schools across the state in practicing how to respond to an earthquake. At exactly 10:17 a.m., the entire District participated in the drill, with students and staff dropping, covering, and holding on as they would in the event of a real earthquake. Following the drill, students were evacuated from classrooms to designated safe areas. During this time, search and rescue teams were assembled to check common areas for (employees posing as) victims.
In the days leading up to the ShakeOut, both school and District sites carefully reviewed their emergency procedures and command center assignments to ensure a smooth and effective response. This yearly exercise is a key component of our commitment to staff and student safety and emergency preparedness.
| |
MBUSD E-Bike Safety Program Update | |
|
We are just a few weeks away from the implementation of our District E-Bike Safety Program, which will go into effect for MBMS and MCHS students on November 4 and for elementary students in grades 4 and 5 on December 9. For your student(s) to be allowed to park their e-bike on campus, they will need to have completed a District-approved e-bike certification course through E-Bike Sense or PedalAce before the program implementation date. Upon completion, the student will receive an MBUSD-certified sticker that must be displayed on their bike in order for it to be allowed to park on campus.
While District-sponsored classes for 6th-12th grade students are full, you can still enroll privately with E-Bike Sense (in-person) or PedalAce (online). District-sponsored E-Bike Sense classes for our 4th and 5th graders are still available between November 2 and December 9. We will also offer another round of free classes in January for our students and will be providing registration information in December.
Here is the link to register privately for the in-person E-Bike Sense course. Please use the discount code MBUSD25 to receive a 25% discount available to MBUSD families.
Here is the link to register for the online PedalAce course. This course is offered at a 50% discount.
|  | |
|
Elementary parents can use this link if you would like to sign up for an upcoming District-sponsored in-person class through E-Bike Sense, available at no cost on a space-available basis. Students MUST bring their street-legal e-bike and helmet to the class.
Please remember that students may travel to and from school independently on their traditional bikes beginning in 3rd grade and that e-bikes are only permitted for students beginning in 4th grade if their parents choose to allow it and they have earned certification and received a sticker from the District.
If your student has already completed or will complete a private class through PedalAce and E-Bike Sense, please submit their certificate of completion to the front office as soon as possible. Once verified, a sticker will be issued to immediately be placed on the e-bike. Certificates will be cross-referenced with lists provided to the school by PedalAce and E-Bike Sense.
Please click this link to review our E-Bike FAQs on our MBUSD Student Services webpage.
| |
“This is Costa” Welcomes 8th Grade Families | |
|
The annual “This is Costa” Part 1 event welcomed future freshmen and their families for an exciting evening dedicated to learning all about Mira Costa High School! Hosted by MBX and Mira Costa in Waller Stadium, the night kicked off with lively performances by the Cheer team, Choir, and Dance team. Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh welcomed families, followed by inspiring talks from student speakers sharing their high school experiences.
Afterward, attendees headed to the MCHS track to explore various booster booths showcasing athletic teams, school programs, and extracurricular activities, including visual arts, the Model UN program, and music programs. Click here for more pictures. The next "This is Costa" event is scheduled for March 4.
| |
Grand View Students Meet Olympic Swimmer Anicka Delgado | |
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Grand View 3rd-5th graders attended a special assembly on campus that featured Olympic swimmer Anicka Delgado. She spoke to students about her journey as a swimmer and her experience representing Ecuador in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Anicka also shared stories of triumph and cultural pride. She was joined by Artem Selin, a member of the German National Swimming Team, during the event.
| |
Pennekamp Night at the Library | |
Pennekamp Elementary hosted its annual Night at the Library, showcasing the Dragons' love for literacy! The event featured read-alouds by Principal Sharon Witzansky, Library Resource Specialist Penny Mason, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Patti Ackerman, and MBEF Ambassador/MCHS student Spencer Stone. 5th Grade Ambassadors also participated in the event by interacting with the younger students.
Literacy-related activities also included creating a community wishtree inspired by Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree, recording an audiobook of B.J. Novak’s The Book With No Pictures, crafting puppets of Mo Willem’s beloved characters, Gerald, Piggie, and Pigeon, a bookmark-designing station sponsored by MBEF, a library scavenger hunt, and a storywalk of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Third-grade teachers, Leonore Heagy, Liana Kuklinski, and Michael Warner, served as game masters of mock Super Literacy Quiz Bowl sessions.
|  | |
Since its inception on a stormy February night in 2018, Library Night has been part of Pennekamp’s many literacy celebrations throughout the year, which include a readathon (this year 261 students read a combined 123,000 minutes!) and a book-themed trivia competition.
Pennekamp PTA Literacy Chairs Kendra Dazé and Lauren Moffat are looking towards building a fulsome committee to meet enthusiasm—and also hope to work more collaboratively with other schools, as they did last year in aiding Pacific’s inaugural Literacy Night.
| |
7th Grade Family Writing Workshop | |
|
The 7th Grade Family Writing Workshop took place twice this week, continuing a cherished MBMS tradition that has spanned more than 30 years. This event brings families and students together to celebrate writing!
Through a fun, interactive workshop, parents and students explore the writing process, get a glimpse of the diverse levels of 7th-grade writing, and make connections! The other goal is to equip parents with strategies to support their children’s writing effectively at home, while also teaching students how to ask for help the right way.
The event was facilitated by the MBMS English Department, who ensured it was both engaging and enjoyable for all participants. The tradition was originally started by beloved MBMS English teacher Bev Reed.
| |
MCHS Senior Mona Cho Invited to White House | |
Mira Costa senior Mona Cho recently returned from her visit to the White House, where she was once again invited to attend this year's Girls Leading Change celebration. The event, hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council (GPC), honors the International Day of the Girl. Last year, Mona was recognized as one of fifteen young women leaders nationwide for her commitment to combating online harassment and its harmful impact on youth and teens. She leads her own non-profit, the DOSE Initiative.
This year, Mona participated as an alumna of the inaugural Girls Leading Change cohort, meeting with Dr. Biden to discuss her latest work and ongoing efforts.
| |
MBUSD Students Participate in Chevron Soccer Academy | |
MBUSD students recently took part in Chevron’s free soccer academy, which offered a clinic for players ages 9-15 of all skill levels. Participants received specialized training focused on various skills and drills aimed at enhancing their overall game.
For students ages 15-17, there was also the exciting opportunity to try out in front of professional and collegiate scouts. Thank you to our community partner Chevron for providing this wonderful opportunity.
| |
Tickets are on Sale for Mira Costa Drama/Tech Fall Play! | |
|
Mira Costa’s award-winning Drama/Tech department is in full production mode preparing for their first play of the school year! Anatomy of Gray is a thought-provoking story that follows young June, who, after losing her father, wishes for a healer to save her small town. When a mysterious doctor arrives in a balloon, hope turns to chaos. The Drama/Tech department describes the story as one with themes of loss, love, and healing in a unique coming-of-age tale.
“Every year, we reflect on our recent seasons to identify new challenges and diversify the genres we offer. After two years of comedic productions, we chose Anatomy of Gray for its relevant themes and the rich, dramatic roles it offers our actors—providing them with deeply emotional material set against gritty circumstances,” Director and Co-Producer, Jonathan Westerberg said.
Tickets are available for purchase here. The opening night performance is scheduled for Friday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Small Theatre at Mira Costa and runs through November 16. Buy your tickets today!
| |
|
There are great stories to be told across the District, from stories of accomplishment, perseverance, and noteworthy events to academic excellence unfolding in our classrooms. Please share a story with us so we can highlight it with our community!
Stories submitted are often shared in our publications, on social media, and with our local media partners.
| |
|
The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on October 25. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
| |
Dr. John Bowes
MBUSD Superintendent
| |
|
Manhattan Beach Unified School District
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.318.7345
| | | | | |
